History ETDs

Publication Date

5-8-1973

Abstract

In Latin America, during the early twentieth century, various middle sector political movements emerged to challenge the pre-eminence of entrenched elites in such countries as Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Peru. This work focuses on the eleven year rule of Augusto B. Leguía from 1919 to 1930, a period during which, it is generally conceded by scholars, the middle classes made their initial sustained attempt to govern Peru. First, this study traces the development of the middle sectors in Peru and their successful accession to political power under Leguía’s leadership. Second, it evaluates the policy and practices of the leguiísta government in political, social, and economic terms. Finally, it analyzes the causes of Leguía’s overthrow and the legacy of his middle class government.

Leguía, backed by a populist coalition, including students, blue and white collar workers, professionals, and military elements, gained power by force. Between l9l9 and 1924 Leguía actively sought and received middle sector support as he fended off challenges from the left and the right with skillful political maneuvers and overtly oppressive tactics. By 1925 an inner circle of self-serving leguiístas, largely of middle sector origin, were governing Peru without major opposition. They were successful because they had effectively centralized political. power in Lima, emasculated their political opponents, proposed and carried out social. reforms that promised a better life for Peru's middle sectors, and achieved economic stability and growth through fiscal reforms, public works pro

jects, and the utilization of large amounts of foreign capital.

The leguiísta middle class state, however, proved to be transitory. By the late l920's the leguiísta leaders had grown old and rigid. They had alienated the more progressive elements of their populist coalition and had failed to eliminate the economic strength, and hence, potential political and social power, of the disenfranchised elite. Also, Peru's economic prosperity was contingent upon foreign loans and capital. With the advent of the Depression, foreign monies ceased flowing to the Leguía regime, and prosperity rapidly turned to economic instability, precipitating popular dissatisfaction and the fall of the Leguía government.

The Leguía regime, without a doubt, had fostered the growth and prosperity of the middle sectors, but it had left many illus­ory promises to the lower classes, especially the Indians, unfulfilled. In the context of Peru's relative backwardness the middle sector government of Leguía proved to be premature, first because the legui1stas and their supporters did not have a strong economic base, and second because the numerical strength of the middle groups was not sufficient to warrant their continued pre-eminent governmental position. When, in 1930, the regime was toppled, the nation became embroiled in political turmoil marked by a power struggle between the old elite, the remnants of Leguía’s populist coalition, radical elements, and the military. In the Peruvian case, therefore, the assumption of power by the middle sectors during the nation's early modernizing stage, had led not to stability, but to political and social disruption which would plague the nation for several decades.

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Degree Name

History

Department Name

History

First Committee Member (Chair)

Edwin Lieuwen

Second Committee Member

Robert William Kern

Third Committee Member

Troy Smith Floyd

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Download

Included in

History Commons

Share

COinS